Thomas Osborne was a son of Robert and Mary Osborne, nee Temple, natives of England. His father died in 1858, his mother in 1862. Thomas was born in the mother country, on July 4, 1818. He emigrated to Canada in 1845, and engaged in farming there until February, 1865, when he came to Clayton County, and purchased his present farm, in Cox Creek Township. In 1878 he laid out the village of Osborne, and since then has given much of his time and attention to improving the flourishing town which bears his name. He was married in 1851 to Elizabeth, daughter of William and Susan Ribble, nee Barnes, natives of Canada. Nine children have blessed their union, viz.: Jane, born Dec. 12, 1852, is now the wife of Timothy Shafer; Ann, born Oct. 11, 1855, married Emroy Robbins; John, born May 20, 1862; Eliza, Nov. 10, 1863; Thomas, Aug. 16, 1865; William, March 16, 1867; Robert, Apr. 23, 1869; Susan, Feb. 22, 1872, and Elizabeth, Sept. 6, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Osborne were formerly members of the Methodist Episcopal church. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 750 |